Prevent Cybercrime...

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That is how cybercrime has the potential to alter the game. According to a recent survey, employee activities are responsible for almost 70% of all data breaches. This blog focuses on how you can better equip your staff to recognize and mitigate cyber risks as an organization.

A top-down approach to IT security

First and foremost, you must shift your organizational perspective. IT security is not just the responsibility of your IT staff, CTO, or Managed Service Provider (MSP). You must sincerely think that IT security is everyone's business, which includes everyone in your organization, from the CEO to the newest intern. Everyone should be aware of the seriousness of a cyberattack and its consequences. Only then will they pay attention to cybersecurity.

Policies

The next step is to formulate IT policies and lay down the best practices for your staff to follow. Ideally, your IT policy should cover the following:

Passwords

1. Rules regarding password setting

2. Password best practices

3. The implications of password sharing

4. Corrective actions that will be taken place in the event the password policy is not followed.

Personal devices

Rules regarding the usage of personal devices at work or for work purposes. Answer questions like: 

1. Are all employees allowed to use personal devices for work or do you want to limit it to those handling lesser sensitive data, or to those at higher in the corporate hierarchy as you assume they will need to be available 24/7? Regardless, you should spell out the regulations that they must follow. For example, requiring a weekly or monthly check for malware and updates to anti-malware software, etc., If only certain kinds of devices, software, or operating systems may be approved as they are presumed to be more secure, then that should be addressed in the policy.

2. Discuss best practices and educate your employees on the risks related to connecting to open internet connections (Free WiFi) such as the ones offered at malls or airports.

Cybersecurity measures

1. Document the cybersecurity measures that you have in place for your business. This should include your digital measures such as the software you have deployed to keep malware out--like anti-virus tools, firewalls, etc., and also the physical measures such as CCTV systems, biometric access controls, etc.,

2. Another example of a good practice is how you handle employee turnover. When someone quits your organization or has changed positions, how is the access issue addressed? Spell out the rules and regulations regarding the removal of a user from the network, changing passwords, limiting access, etc.,

Employee Training

Employee training will play a significant role in the cybersecurity endeavor that you will undertake as a company. You must educate your personnel on how to recognize and respond to cyber threats. Here are some recommended practices for staff training that you can incorporate into your cybersecurity training program.

Create an IT policy handbook

Ensure that every new employee, regardless of their position in the organization, receives a copy of your IT policy handbook. This IT policy guide should be distributed to everyone in your firm, from the CEO to the newest intern. Also, make sure this manual is updated on a regular basis. Your guidebook must stay up to date with the rapid changes in technology.

Make cybersecurity training a part of your official training initiatives

Cybersecurity training should be a part of your corporate training initiatives for all new employees. You can also conduct refresher sessions once in a while to ensure your existing employees are up-to-date on the latest cyberthreats. At the end of the training session, conduct tests, mock drills, and certification exams. Good training includes assessments. Provide follow-up training for those who need it. This strong emphasis on training will ensure your employees take cybersecurity seriously.

Day zero alerts

As discussed, the cybercrime landscape is constantly evolving. Every day, cybercriminals are finding new vulnerabilities to exploit, and new methods to steal your data or finding ways to hack into your system. Day zero alerts are a great way to keep your employees updated. If a new security threat been discovered or an important plug-in released for the optimal functioning of a browser? Send an email to everyone spelling out clearly what the threat is and what they can do to mitigate it. Then, follow up to verify they took the necessary steps. This can save your company a lot of trouble. 

Transparency

Let your employees know who to contact in the event of any IT-related event. Having a business like Rowe Group to help you will save your business time and money. This is important because an employee troubleshooting on the internet for a solution to something as simple as zipping up a file could end up downloading malware accidentally. Most malware problems happen by accident. Being a victim of a cyber-attack can prove disastrous for your business as it has the following repercussions.

  • Affects your brand image negatively: Business disruption due to downtime or having your important business data including customer and vendor details stolen reflects poorly on your brand.
  • It can cause you to lose customers: Your customers may take their business elsewhere as they may not feel safe sharing their PII with your business. 
  • Can cost you quite a bit financially: A data breach makes you liable to follow certain disclosure requirements mandated by the law. These most likely will require you to make announcements on popular media, which can be expensive. The business will then have to invest in positive PR to boost the brand value.
  • It makes you vulnerable to lawsuits: Your business could be sued by customers whose Personally Identifiable Information (PII) has been compromised or stolen.

In light of such serious ramifications, it makes sense for organizations to strengthen their first line of defense against cybercriminals--their own employees. Rowe Group can help with this. Contact us today.